#JapaneseTradition

[shin1979flower]

Three completely different floral altar designs, all created within the same 540cm width. This is not just decoration—it’s tradition, craftsmanship, and emotion.

Watch how Japanese florists turn a limited space into a sacred, emotional experience. Feel the silence. See the skill. Respect the culture.

🎥 Watch the video

[tmarshconnors]

"One who is truly disciplined does not need rules to govern his behaviour."

Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Buddhist monastic name Yamamoto Jōchō, was a samurai of the Saga Domain in Hizen Province under his lord Nabeshima Mitsushige. 

Born: 11 June 1659, Saga Domain

Died: 30 November 1719 (age 60 years), Yamato, Saga

He never participated in active battle. Though a samurai, Tsunetomo lived in an era of peace under the Tokugawa shogunate, which limited the martial experience of many warriors.

His teachings were not widely known during his lifetime.Hagakure gained significant recognition centuries later, especially during the militarization of Japan in the early 20th century

.He opposed the growing bureaucratization of samurai life. Tsunetomo was critical of how the samurai class became more administrative and less warrior-like under Tokugawa rule.He viewed death as central to the samurai way.

 One of Hagakure's famous lines is: “The Way of the Samurai is found in death,” stressing preparedness for death as the highest discipline.

His work influenced modern Japanese culture. Hagakure was famously referenced in Yukio Mishima’s book, The Way of the Samurai, and it continues to influence martial arts and leadership philosophies worldwide.

[visual-diary-of-hiei]

新年明けましておめでとうございます！ 今年もよろしくお願いいたします。 Happy new year!

[shikokunature]

Butsumokuji (佛木寺) sits quietly in Uwajima, Ehime, welcoming pilgrims along the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. This sacred place is dedicated to Dainichi Nyorai (大日如来), the cosmic Buddha of boundless wisdom.

These images capture the temple’s serene atmosphere. The intricate wooden carvings and traditional tiled roofs stand against lush greenery, embodying the harmony of Buddhist architecture. A Jizō statue, adorned with offerings, watches over the site. Jizō (地蔵) is a guardian of children and travelers, often seen with bibs and toys left by visitors praying for protection.

Butsumokuji is a peaceful stop for those seeking reflection. If you love Japan’s temple culture, check out more of my work here: Linktree.

[globalcitytees]

[shintoism-buddhism]

[foodily]

Mastering the Art of Ramen: Your Ultimate Ramen Eating Guide

Ever feel like you’re not eating ramen right? Don’t worry — you’re not alone. 🍜

This blog is your go-to ramen playbook: 🥄 How to slurp like a pro (yes, slurping is allowed) 🧂 When to add seasoning — and when to just enjoy the broth 😋 Ramen etiquette from Tokyo to your table

Because eating ramen isn’t just a meal — it’s an experience.

🔗 Guide yourself to greatness: https://sugoiramen.com/ramen-eating-guide/

[shreyasaha1987]

Ultimate Japan Itinerary - Nara Highlights in a Day

Cherry Blossom in Japan 21-Day Itinerary – Day 8 On day 8, join us on an unforgettable journey through Nara, Japan, a city steeped in history and natural beauty. From checking into the cozy Guesthouse Nara Backpackers to savoring a delicious vegetarian lunch at Ashura, we explored iconic landmarks like Todaiji Temple and Nara Park. Strolling through Kofukuji Temple and relaxing at Sarusawa Ike…

[printify360]

[shikoku-news]

Butsumokuji (佛木寺) sits quietly in Uwajima, Ehime, welcoming pilgrims along the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. This sacred place is dedicated to Dainichi Nyorai (大日如来), the cosmic Buddha of boundless wisdom.

These images capture the temple’s serene atmosphere. The intricate wooden carvings and traditional tiled roofs stand against lush greenery, embodying the harmony of Buddhist architecture. A Jizō statue, adorned with offerings, watches over the site. Jizō (地蔵) is a guardian of children and travelers, often seen with bibs and toys left by visitors praying for protection.

Butsumokuji is a peaceful stop for those seeking reflection. If you love Japan’s temple culture, check out more of my work here: Linktree.

[shin1979flower]

True Horror Stories from a Japanese Funeral Florist | Forbidden Ghost Photo & Human Horror

👻 You might NOT want to watch this… We’re revealing a forbidden ghost photo taken at a real Japanese funeral site — something you’re not supposed to see.

Alongside the supernatural, we share “human horror” stories from behind the scenes in Japan’s funeral flower industry — moments where people were far scarier than any ghost.

💡 Rare insight into Japanese funeral traditions 💡 True horror stories from professional florists 💡 Behind-the-scenes look at the world of Japanese Funeral Flowers

If you love ghost stories, true crime, or supernatural mysteries, this is a must-watch. Share your own ghost or human horror experiences in the comments!

[shikoku4k]

Butsumokuji (佛木寺) sits quietly in Uwajima, Ehime, welcoming pilgrims along the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. This sacred place is dedicated to Dainichi Nyorai (大日如来), the cosmic Buddha of boundless wisdom.

These images capture the temple’s serene atmosphere. The intricate wooden carvings and traditional tiled roofs stand against lush greenery, embodying the harmony of Buddhist architecture. A Jizō statue, adorned with offerings, watches over the site. Jizō (地蔵) is a guardian of children and travelers, often seen with bibs and toys left by visitors praying for protection.

Butsumokuji is a peaceful stop for those seeking reflection. If you love Japan’s temple culture, check out more of my work here: Linktree.

[ronnansink-blog]

Michio Shimada steps onto the polished tatami floor with a measured grace that immediately commands respect. He does not exude the casual charm of a big-league pitcher tossing an easy curveball in warmups, nor the bustling energy of a basketball player rushing to the court. Instead, his quiet confidence aligns more with an old-world lineage of martial arts virtuosos—a heritage that stretches back decades to the rigorous training grounds of the Meiji Shrine Forest in Tokyo, and even further, through centuries of Japanese warrior tradition. It’s the kind of presence you sense before you even see him in action, a hum of potential energy that tells you there’s something special about this man and the discipline he carries.

Shimada’s story begins in the realm of Japanese combat sports that thousands of children experience every year. As a young boy, he studied Judo and Karate, taking his first steps on the long road toward martial mastery. Family members and friends remember him as a thoughtful child, yet fiercely determined whenever he set foot on the training mats. Even early on, there was an air of commitment around him. Whether practicing throws in Judo or perfecting forms in Karate, Shimada demonstrated the same hard-driving passion you might witness in a high school quarterback pushing through drills in the scorching summer heat.

Yet, it was not merely these common martial arts—widely known, celebrated, and rigorously taught—that would shape Shimada’s destiny. Fate intervened in the form of an introduction to the man now often revered as the “martial arts saint,” Kenichi Sawai. A legend in Japan, Sawai was famous not just for his mastery of various combat forms, but for his philosophy that sought harmony between mind, body, and spirit through the study of Taiki Ken. This lesser-known discipline synthesizes principles from Chinese Internal Martial Arts with the robust martial heritage of Japan. When Shimada came under Sawai’s tutelage, it was akin to a rookie baseball phenom being invited to train with a Hall of Famer—a chance to learn from the best in the business.

Shimada’s time under Sawai was marked by an unrelenting regimen of training sessions in the mystical Meiji Shrine Forest. Located in the heart of Tokyo yet boasting a peaceful, almost otherworldly aura, the forest has long been a favorite site for martial artists seeking intense training. Many an athlete has awakened at the crack of dawn, forging mental fortitude amid the cicadas’ calls and the hush of swaying trees. The forest’s winding trails and hidden clearings provided a demanding natural arena where students would run, perform stance work, and engage in partner drills. According to Shimada, the ancient Shinto spirit of the shrine seemed to permeate their practice, urging them to delve deeper into the essence of Taiki Ken—transforming each session into a spiritual as well as physical pursuit.

To meet Sawai’s exacting standards, students were required to push themselves to the brink of exhaustion. Gasshuku, or intensive training camps, would often last for days. Shimada recalls practicing footwork until his legs shook, and standing in meditative postures for hours, exploring the subtle pathways of energy that Taiki Ken seeks to harness. As if the bodily rigor wasn’t enough, Sawai also stressed intellectual understanding of the art’s principles. Study sessions on martial philosophy, strategy, and ethics turned novices into well-rounded practitioners who understood there was more to fighting than physical techniques.

In 1985, Sawai gave Shimada a monumental task: establish a dojo to spread Taiki Ken far and wide, making it accessible to people beyond the insular circles of martial arts elites. Shimada was only in his thirties at the time, yet he carried himself with a quiet authority that belied his relative youth. He founded the Taiki Ken Kikoukai dojo in Koganei, a suburban district in western Tokyo. At first, the space was modest—a single training hall with a humble sign and a small group of students who recognized that something extraordinary was brewing there. But beneath that humble exterior lay a dream of building a community dedicated to the legacy of Sawai and the transformative power of Taiki Ken.

Word got around quickly. Martial arts enthusiasts who had only heard of Taiki Ken in hushed anecdotes began making pilgrimages to Koganei, eager to experience this discipline that melded dynamic footwork with an almost meditative approach to combat. Shimada’s approach was straightforward yet profound: he taught striking and grappling techniques while emphasizing the cultivation of internal power, stability, and insight. Students were encouraged to attend early morning sessions in nearby parks, mimicking the grueling forest training that Shimada had known so well. Over time, the dojo’s reputation blossomed, leading to an influx of serious practitioners from all walks of life—office workers, high school athletes, even a handful of foreign visitors who saw Taiki Ken as a gateway to deeper martial and personal mastery.

Yet, the journey was not without heartache. When Kenichi Sawai passed away, the shock reverberated throughout Japan’s martial arts community. For Shimada, it felt as though the guiding light of his life had been dimmed. Unsure of how to proceed, he temporarily closed the Koganei dojo. The next few months were filled with reflection and mourning, a time he used to reassess his priorities and pay homage to the man who had led him down this path. But as the haze of grief lifted, Shimada realized that the greatest tribute he could offer Sawai was not retreat, but renewed dedication.

And so, the doors of Taiki Ken Kikoukai reopened. Before long, the training hall echoed once more with the sound of feet shuffling across tatami and the unmistakable kiai shouts of students testing their mettle. New students arrived, drawn by Shimada’s story and the resilience he had displayed in the face of adversity. Once again, the dojo pulsed with life, preserving Sawai’s teachings for a new generation. Over the years, graduates of the dojo would go on to become accomplished martial artists in their own right, some even opening Taiki Ken study groups around the world, continuing the legacy born in that quiet corner of Tokyo.

Then came January 2005, a milestone moment that would serve as both tribute and expansion. To mark the 20th anniversary of the Koganei dojo’s founding, Shimada opened a brand-new training hall in Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s most vibrant and bustling districts. If Koganei offered a suburban calm, Shinjuku was its antithesis—a neon-lit wonderland that never truly sleeps. By planting Taiki Ken in the heart of such urban energy, Shimada demonstrated a willingness to adapt to the evolving landscape of modern martial arts. The Shinjuku dojo became a beacon, attracting seasoned fighters, curious newcomers, and even tourists intrigued by the chance to immerse themselves in an authentic Japanese discipline.

The Shinjuku dojo also represented a tangible commitment to mentoring future generations. Alumni from Koganei who had grown into adept instructors joined Shimada in designing curricula that would not merely replicate Sawai’s training methods but refine them for a modern audience. Japanese high school students practiced side by side with international visitors, forging a cultural exchange that transcended language. Overseeing it all was Shimada, still the ever-dedicated sensei, offering pointers with that trademark soft-spoken gravitas. He taught, he demonstrated, and he inspired—ensuring that, though Sawai was no longer present physically, his spirit thrived in the pounding hearts and swirling fists of every student under the dojo’s roof.

Today, the presence of Michio Shimada looms large within Japan’s martial arts community, and indeed, internationally. From the earliest days of diligently studying Judo and Karate, to the punishing forest training under Kenichi Sawai, to building not just one but two dojos dedicated to Taiki Ken, his life story reads like the biography of an iconic athlete who overcame every obstacle to reach the pinnacle of his craft. Yet, Shimada would be the first to insist that there is always more to learn. Whenever you think you’ve mastered a technique or a concept, he advises, go back to the basics. Stand still in nature, feel the ground beneath you, and rediscover that synergy between mind, body, and spirit. Only then can you truly call yourself a martial artist.

In the kaleidoscope of modern sports—where highlight reels and viral clips dominate our collective imagination—Shimada’s pursuit might appear understated. But the lessons he imparts resonate far beyond a single dojo floor. They speak of dedication, humility, and the conviction that genuine power emerges from discipline rooted in respect for tradition. His journey from a curious child in a Judo gi to the sensei of multiple dojos carrying on Sawai’s legacy is one that belongs in the pantheon of the sports world’s finest sagas, an odyssey of grit, heart, and unwavering fidelity to a higher calling.

For those seeking something beyond mere technique—a glimpse into the soul of an art form passed down through generations—Michio Shimada stands as a testament to what can be achieved when discipline meets passion. The echo of each kiai in his dojo is a clarion call, reminding us that greatness in sport is forged by those who dare to push their limits while never losing sight of the tradition that set them on the path. In this sense, Shimada is both a guardian of an ancient flame and a spark lighting the way for future champions, ensuring that Kenichi Sawai’s profound gift to the martial arts world lives on, one lesson at a time.

[tmarshconnors]

Yuriko, Princess Mikasa 1923-2024

Today, we reflect on the life and legacy of Princess Yuriko, a woman who embodied the spirit and resilience of the Japanese royal family. At 101 years old, she was a quiet yet enduring presence within the Imperial household—a sister-in-law to Emperor Showa and a witness to nearly a century of profound transformation in Japan.

Princess Yuriko’s life encompassed the tragedy and recovery of a nation through war and peace, and her graceful resilience mirrored Japan’s own journey. She bore witness to a world profoundly different from the one she was born into, marking her presence with steadfast commitment to tradition while adapting to a rapidly changing Japan. She was both noble in title and spirit, bridging modernity with the rich heritage of Japanese culture.

Her contributions to Japan’s social fabric, through charity work and support for disabled veterans and marginalized communities, demonstrate her empathy and care for the Japanese people.

Today, as we mourn her passing, we also celebrate a life that saw Japan rise, rebuild, and redefine itself. Her legacy is a quiet, dignified strength that will be missed but always remembered. The Japanese Imperial family and Japan at large have lost a remarkable figure, yet her spirit and the example she set will remain a part of the nation's heart.

[shoppinginjapan]

Citizen Deep Green Silver Leaf Urushi Lacquer NB1060-12L

Introducing the Citizen Deep Green Silver Leaf Urushi Lacquer NB1060-12L – a stunning blend of tradition and modern watchmaking. With a mesmerizing deep green dial, hand-painted using Japanese Urushi lacquer and silver leaf, this automatic timepiece is a true work of art. Equipped with 100m water resistance and sapphire crystal, it’s perfect for collectors who appreciate craftsmanship and elegance.

[globalcitytees]

☕✨ Coffee meets Tradition: Geisha & Japanese Coffee Design ✨☕

Step into a world where Japanese elegance meets modern coffee culture! Our latest design showcases a traditional Geisha gracefully holding a cup of Japanese coffee, adorned in a beautifully vibrant kimono with intricate floral patterns. 🌸 The steam from the coffee swirls around her, transforming into delicate cherry blossom petals—a perfect harmony of serenity and style.

This unique artwork blends the best of both worlds, offering a tribute to Japan’s timeless beauty and the universal love for coffee. Whether you're a fan of Japanese culture, coffee, or both, this design is your new favorite!

👉 Available now at Global City Tees on TeePublic, Redbubble Store